Page 21 - br-dec-2021

December 2021 December 2021

Councillors Peter and Laura, Dorset Council Highways, The Weld Estate, The
As the Years go by ‘85
After much sitting, we feel stiff in each Coastguard, The Ambulance Service and The Fire Services. Key areas of
joint; agreement going forward were, parking arrangements worked well and will be
As the years go by and we’re A trip to the chemist for some balm to introduced again next year by the Estate. Work with local Community groups
approaching the pension anoint. worked reasonably well and will continue next year.
We get aches and pains, too When we read the paper, the writing’s Highways issues were much improved helped by getting all parties talking to
numerous to mention. less distinct; each other via a MACC (Multi Agency Command Centre), this worked well and
As we’re putting on weight and are was useful. However there were slow police response times when roads were
portly of figure Can it be the printers – has something closed (due to the notification procedure, now resolved through the MACC
not been inked?
It’s hard to remember being young process). Tow away threat worked well for illegal parking.
and full of vigour. Though we’ve twinges in the leg, and Ambulance and Fire Service access proved difficult but is now better understood
an ache in the arm, by crews and would be impossible to change fundamentally. Few heath-fire
We think of days cycling and running issues and no fire-related issues at Bestival. Main demand has been assisting with
in our youth – It’s all quite trivial - there’s no need for cliff and water incidents in various capacities. Coastguard worked well with all
alarm.
But that’s a long time ago, that’s the other agencies. Sadly, there were more 'serious' incidents this year, with 3 deaths,
painful truth. Being OAP’s should be fun, and joking coroners reports will be studied to see if there are any lessons to be learnt.
apart,
Now the stairs seem steeper, we puff
and groan; Age doesn’t matter, when you’re
young in heart.
But there’s one consolation – we Customer Services
don’t grow old alone. Following the reopening of customer access points in July, the feedback has
Eileen Richardson been positive with over 2,200 customers being supported with their enquiries (July
to September). Working alongside and in collaboration with our library
colleagues and external partners in several of our locations, the return of
customer access has been welcomed by many customers. We are seeing
a gradual increase in footfall with Dorchester and Weymouth being our biggest
areas of demand. The numbers are below
Dorchester – 789 Wareham Library – 195
Weymouth – 739 Wimborne Library - 170
Nordon Lodge (Blandford) – 220 Mountfield (Bridport Town Council) - 157

Enquiry types have included:
Waste – collecting small containers – 28%
Revenue & Benefits – requests for Council Tax support – 17%
Housing – housing register related – 16%
Parking – challenging Penalty Charge Notices and paying fines – 8%
Blue badge – help completing applications on the public access computers – 4%
Planning - establishing progress of planning applications – 2%
Legal – verifying proof of life request for overseas pensions – 2%
Other enquiries have comprised requests for Radar keys for disabled toilet
facilities, signposting to adult social care information, financial support due

60 21